In conclusion be prepared

There are many practical things we can do each day to make the most of our lives, even in bleak situations. Life may have many burps, hurts, hardships and sorrows. Within us is the ability to see sunshine, even in storms.

* If it will brighten someone's day & then say it, do it; show love, kindness, compassion: a friendly look, a cheery smile, one kind act, and life is worthwhile & again.

* Make a commitment to want optimum health. The human body is the 'planet' of each person. Your 'planet' is superbly designed and unique - 'a once off' that does require special care. What we eat and drink affects our body as a whole. Just as we need to take care of the environment and planet earth we live on, so too, it is vital that each person provides an optimal level of care for their body. You would expect good care from your local hospital so treat your own body with respect ... before it gets there!

* Use opportunities to develop talents and skills, then life will be rich and meaningful.

* Read something inspirational daily; meditate (take time to still the mind, thoughts and emotions; to create inner peace and become more focused on what is truly important in life); and pray (prayer is about connecting our heart to God's heart).

* Appreciate the wonderful world we call home, and also the little things in everyday life, that we often take for granted.

* There are many ways we can live a fulfilled, abundant and prosperous life: find your balance in health and wealth, knowledge, love and happiness. Prosperity has been called a flow of giving and receiving. We can take a wonderfully positive view of life, with the words of Rabindranath Tagore, "I slept and dreamt life was a pleasure; I woke and saw life was service; I served and discovered that service was pleasure."

We can make decisions and have a vision to take action, with opportunities and practical changes that will benefit our world.

We all have an instinct to survive - call it 'love of life'. There is desire, a burning need to survive: to live life for today, tomorrow, and the next morrow. For this reason, when we think of 'time', it is wise to use it wisely. Time runs on, it can't be stopped, time can't be saved or repeated, and time cannot be bought or sold. Think about how best to use your time.

In this book, I have established that we are in for change, whether we like it or not. We can bury our head in the sand and try to forget about it (that is until we go to purchase petrol), OR we can think about it and never quite get to doing anything about it, like the words of the Unknown Author, 'You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind' OR 'We can think of an idea to change the world and put it into action', like in the movie, 'Pay it Forward' AND we can all be wise like Scouts and 'be prepared'.

As I started to write this final chapter, what came to mind is that we live in a lucky country and no, I am not sure it is luck. Perhaps, I will write ... we are fortunate to live in Australia, a land of plenty. No, what I really want to say is that we are truly blessed. In my life, I know, no matter what has happened with highs and lows, I have been held in the hands of God. We all have life and a positive part to play, something special to give, just like Edward Everette Hale's words: "I am one. I cannot do everything. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the Grace of God, I will do."

So much more could be written & this will suffice for now & and each person can go and add their personal touch to 'preparedness'.

My desire for you is to laugh lots and enjoy life, and that you put your hand into the hand of God.

Words of a quote to encourage you, written in 1908 by inspirational poet, Minnie Louise Haskin, and lecturer in Economics in London:

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied, 'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!'